The recent discussion comparing Roatan and Grand Cayman dive vacations reminded me of something that has crossed my mind several times in the past. I am surprised that more onsite resort dive ops with house reefs (around the world) don't adopt the convenient "drop off dive" system that is available at some resorts on Roatan.
I have thought of this before about Bonaire, where so many resorts have an onsite dive op and a house reef. Also one-tank boat dives are the norm on Bonaire, so why not bring an extra tank for divers that want one and then drop them off on the way back?
I think this system could also work on Grand Cayman for resorts with onsite dive ops and house reefs like Sunset House, Cobalt Coast, and Lighthouse Point.
In another post @EastEndDiver commented that the shore dive at Cobalt Coast is a nice dive "like a typical second dive after a wall dive" but that there is a long walk to the entry and a long swim to the reef. Offering morning and afternoon one-tank boat dives with optional drop-off dives would make the shore dive easier and more convenient and increase the value of the dive package IMO.
Below is a description of Drop-Off Dives from the Coco View Roatan website:
"Two boat trips daily include a one tank dive at a moored dive site with an optional "drop-off" dive on the route back to the resort, for up to four boat tanks daily. On a drop-off dive, your boat will heave-to, and guests who have requested a drop-off tank will exit. The boat will then continue to the marina and divers can follow the wall back to our beach on their own."
I have thought of this before about Bonaire, where so many resorts have an onsite dive op and a house reef. Also one-tank boat dives are the norm on Bonaire, so why not bring an extra tank for divers that want one and then drop them off on the way back?
I think this system could also work on Grand Cayman for resorts with onsite dive ops and house reefs like Sunset House, Cobalt Coast, and Lighthouse Point.
In another post @EastEndDiver commented that the shore dive at Cobalt Coast is a nice dive "like a typical second dive after a wall dive" but that there is a long walk to the entry and a long swim to the reef. Offering morning and afternoon one-tank boat dives with optional drop-off dives would make the shore dive easier and more convenient and increase the value of the dive package IMO.
Below is a description of Drop-Off Dives from the Coco View Roatan website:
"Two boat trips daily include a one tank dive at a moored dive site with an optional "drop-off" dive on the route back to the resort, for up to four boat tanks daily. On a drop-off dive, your boat will heave-to, and guests who have requested a drop-off tank will exit. The boat will then continue to the marina and divers can follow the wall back to our beach on their own."
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